🍂 Down to Earth Autumn Equinox Retreat 🍂 With Jacqui & Amanda

Equinox (equal) means being a balance of light and dark, day and night equal in both hemispheres.

In the northern hemisphere, the Autumn Equinox is a time for celebrating the abundance of the earth, the second harvest of fruits, berries, fungi and nuts. A time for reflection, for gratitude for all we have and to connect to the seasonality of our existence as a reminder to not expect from ourselves that we should feel and function the same way every day in every season.

Our environment is a part of us and connecting to it’s rhythm is a way of dropping into that experiential knowing of our interconnectedness to it’s energetic ebb and flow throughout the year. We can’t push the river, but we can immerse ourselves in the flow!

This sumptuous September mini retreat set in the beautiful surroundings of Branches Park offers the opportunity to pause and consider our own journey through the light half of the year, to give thanks for the abundance of experience we have received, to release what needs to be let go of and to plant our intentions, energetically providing optimum conditions for future growth for the next part of our journey to follow.

We will be looking at the concept of ‘Autumnal Release’ through the lens of The Kleshas – this retreat offering allows you the opportunity to dive deeper into your practice with an understanding of how The Kleshas relate both on and off your yoga mat – allowing for release in mind, body, heart, movement, stillness, silence and sound; all held within the beautiful container of the amazing space at Branches Park. Alternatively, you can just enjoy the experience of the retreat’s offerings without the option of self enquiry if you prefer. Whatever you seek from the day, take that which is relevant to you and leave the rest 😊

BRIEF OUTLINE OF EVENTS
After our welcome introduction Amanda will serve you your ceremonial cacao and there will be an opportunity to reflect on aspects of your handouts with Jacqui as related to The Kleshas (especially for those who have never studied this before) and she will then lead you through a deep, sumptuous yoga practice, exploring aspects of shtira (steadiness) in waves of flow. The practice may be strong in places but please know that the use of props to modify the flow where necessary is encouraged, as is taking breaks if required. This deep slow flow assists in bringing the mind and body into an integrated place of stillness, to reveal what is needed for us to truly find balance within.
The flow will then ease into a more restorative sequence, leading you into savasana where the option of a neck and shoulder massage to further deepen release is available. You can select the use of the essential oil massage balm, a more "neutral" aloe vera gel or opt out of the massage and just let your practice settle into the body.

To aid us further, a period of quiet contemplation will follow so that we can discover what we need to let go of in order to achieve balance, especially as relating to the Kleshas. A fire ceremony will mark this release. A comfort break/refreshments will then lead us to Amanda guiding you into a seasonal yoga Nidra, crafted with autumn equinox in mind. Once the body and mind is still and you are relaxed and receptive for the healing sound immersion, we will collectively experience a gong bath - a transformational sound healing opportunity to truly calibrate body, mind and spirit.
The whole event is structured to be a safe, deep journey inward, with the opportunity for quiet reflection to utilise everything on offer to immerse yourself in the experience of letting go. You will be taken through layers of movement, breath, reflection and relaxation which essentially guide you down to earth. All aspects are optional, so if at any point you feel like you would like to take a break, that is available to you too.

WHERE:
Branches Park Estate - 10 miles from Haverhill, 11 miles from Clare, 15 miles from BSE,
Branches Park Estate,
Cowlinge
Newmarket
CB8 9HN

https://branchespark.co.uk

WHEN:
20TH September 2025

TIME:
13:00 - 17:00 (Doors will open no earlier than 12:45, please arrive just before 13:00 to settle for a 13:00 start)

INCLUDES
Delicious refreshments and treats